Vol. 434 No. 10
11 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence the outcome of the investigation into the accidental shooting of a soldier at the Curragh Camp, County Kildare during a training practice some months ago; and if the health and safety authorities were involved in the investigation.
13 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Defence the outcome of the investigation into the accidental shooting of a soldier at the Curragh Camp, County Kildare during a training practice some months ago; and if the health and safety authorities were involved in the investigation.
15 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Defence the outcome of the investigation into the accidental shooting of a soldier at the Curragh Camp, County Kildare during a training practice some months ago; and if the health and safety authorities were involved in the investigation.
25 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the outcome of the investigation into the accidental shooting of a soldier at the Curragh Camp, County Kildare during a training practice some months ago; and if the health and safety authorities were involved in the investigation.
28 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Defence the outcome of the investigation into the accidental shooting of a soldier at the Curragh Camp, County Kildare during a training practice some months ago; and if the health and safety authorities were involved in the investigation.
29 Mr. Harte asked the Minister for Defence the outcome of the investigation into the accidental shooting of a soldier at the Curragh Camp, County Kildare during a training practice some months ago; and if the health and safety authorities were involved in the investigation.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 13, 15, 25, 28 and 29 together.
On 15 June 1993, during preparations for a practice shooting demonstration, an accidental discharge of a weapon occurred, resulting in an injury to a member of the Permanent Defence Force. A court of inquiry was established to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and it is expected that the findings will be submitted to the General Officer Commanding the Curragh Command shortly.
I am disappointed with the Minister's reply. I asked a similar question in June and was told that this investigation was taking place. I would have imagined that it would have been completed by the end of October. The Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Deputy Quinn, ignored the advice of the Health and Safety Authority and approved regulations which removed all legal protection for soldiers at work. Does he agree that we now have a serious difficulty for members of the Defence Forces who are left without the security of the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act, 1989. The reason I am pursuing this question is that the Minister for Labour ignored the agreement reached between PDFORRA and the Department of Defence and introduced different regulations.
Perhaps this is a matter for another Minister.
If we are dealing with the outcome of the investigation into the matter raised in the question, I agree that the process of investigation is rather slow. However, the findings of the court of inquiry have not yet been submitted to the General Officer Commanding the Curragh Command. I understand the soldier injured will have no long term disability and that he returned to duty on 16 July. The Deputy may take it that any recommendation made by the court of inquiry will be acted upon.
As far as the Health and Safety Authority is concerned, it would not have been involved in this particular incident. There was no reason to involve any outside body in the investigation. I understand that this is a purely military matter and thus a matter for the military authorities. It was in that direction that the inquiry was sent.
